Glass Expanse

From Reach

Bar none, Glass expanses are the most hostile environments on Reach. Comprising approximately 10% of the entire Equatorial Desert, glass expanses are unique regions which, through a combination of factors, reach the hottest temperatures on the planet. During the day, the sand actually melts, forming a red-hot stretch of liquid glass that cools at night. No organisms make their home there, even the colossal Reach mammoths and nigh indestructible Silicon Crawlers avoid glass expanses during the day, and Crawlers never attempt to establish hives in glass.

No matter the precautions, glass expanses are certain death during the day. No equipment on Reach provides adequate protection against the scorching heat, as demonstrated by The Lump. An unprotected human would turn to ash in a matter of seconds, and his vehicle melted to slag. During the night, frostbite sets in almost immediately. However, as with the entire desert, there is a brief period of twilight where it's safe to cross. This is NOT recommended, as glass expanses are often too wide to cross during their twilights. Still, hurried travelers sometimes attempt shortcuts, and are almost always claimed by the desert.